Peer Assistance and Leadership PAL© I /II: junior/senior class that students must apply then be interviewed, and invited to join
Peer Assistance and Leadership PAL© I Mentoring: double blocked, fall semester course where students are trained and given the tools to be be mentors and role models to life skills students and students at the middle and elementary level
Peer Assistance and Leadership PAL© II Leadership: double blocked spring semester course where students who are trained in the PAL© III course will continue to be mentors and role models to life skills students and students at the middle and elementary level. Students will plan, oversee, and carryout community service projects such as CavsForCavs, Thrills4Skills, and LTStronger.
Ice Breakers: Week One is about getting to know each other. Icebreakers play a significant role in events in which communication and participant comfort level are important factors. They help you ensure that all attendees are equal participants. They break down the barriers that exist inherently and by design in schools and classes. They are the first step to establishing trust.
Group Dynamics: Group dynamics play a significant role within any organization, culture, or unit. The important thing to remember with any of these structures is that they are made up of people--people with different ideas, motivations, background, and sometimes different agendas. By understanding these structures, we can learn to recognize, accept, and respect our differences thus, creating a more positive work environment.
Self Discovery: Self Awareness is having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self Awareness allows you to understand other people, how they perceive you, your attitude and your responses to them in the moment. This important in PAL© and life because how we perceive ourselves is often different than how others perceive us. To be a effective mentor and helper we have to know ourselves before we can help others.
Communication: Effective communication sounds like it should be instinctive. But all too often, when we try to communicate with others something goes astray. We say one thing, the other person hears something else, and misunderstandings, frustration, and conflicts ensue. This can cause problems in your home, school, and work relationships. For many of us, communicating more clearly and effectively requires learning some important skills. Whether you’re trying to improve communication with your spouse, kids, boss, or coworkers, learning these skills can deepen your connections to others, build greater trust and respect, and improve teamwork, problem solving, and your overall social and emotional health.
Service Projects: Students will plan, oversea, and carryout community service projects such as CavsForCavs, Thrills4Skills, and LTStronger. Students will need to communicate with local businesses for fund raising, coordinate meetings and spirit nights, and work with peers, teachers, and administration.